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Myositis means inflammation of the muscles that you use to move your body. An injury, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause it. Two specific kinds are polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Polymyositis causes muscle weakness, usually in the muscles closest to the trunk of your body. Dermatomyositis causes muscle weakness, plus a skin rash.

Other symptoms of myositis may include

  • Fatigue after walking or standing
  • Tripping or falling
  • Trouble swallowing or breathing

Doctors may use a physical exam, lab tests, imaging tests and a muscle biopsy to diagnose myositis. There is no cure for these diseases, but you can treat the symptoms. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are first treated with high doses of a corticosteroid. Other options include medications, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy, assistive devices, and rest.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Symptoms of Myositis

The following features are indicative of Myositis:
  • muscle weakness
  • fatigue after walking or standing
  • tripping or falling
  • trouble swallowing or breathing
  • skin changes
It is possible that Myositis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Myositis

The following are the most common causes of Myositis:
  • having autoimmune disorders
  • initial viral infection
  • ovarian cancer
  • breast cancer
  • lung cancer

Prevention of Myositis

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Myositis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • wear protective clothing or high-protection sunscreen when you go outside

Occurrence of Myositis

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Myositis cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Not common between 50K - 500K cases

Common Age Group

Myositis can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Myositis can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Myositis

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Myositis:
  • Blood analysis: To detect specific autoantibodies associated with different symptoms of dermatomyositis
  • Chest X-ray: To check for signs of the type of lung damage
  • Electromyography: To determine the distribution of the disease by testing different muscles
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • To create cross-sectional images of muscles
  • Skin or muscle biopsy: To confirm diagnosis of dermatomyositis

Doctor for Diagnosis of Myositis

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Myositis:
  • Rheumatologist
  • Neurologist

Complications of Myositis if untreated

Yes, Myositis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Myositis is left untreated:
  • difficulty swallowing
  • aspiration pneumonia
  • breathing problems

Procedures for Treatment of Myositis

The following procedures are used to treat Myositis:
  • Surgery: Removal of painful calcium deposits and prevent recurrent skin infections

Self-care for Myositis

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Myositis:
  • Keep skin protected: Wear protective clothing or high-protection sunscreen when you go outside

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Myositis

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Myositis:
  • Physical therapy: To maintain and improve your strength
  • Speech therapy: Helps in learning how to compensate speech changes
  • Dietetic assessment: Dietitian can teach you how to prepare easy-to-eat foods

Patient Support for Treatment of Myositis

The following actions may help Myositis patients:
  • Know your illness: Helps you in diagnosis or treatment plan
  • Acknowledge your emotions: Stay close to your family and friends and share your feelings

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Myositis.

Related Topics

Muscle Disorders

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